Universal joint



Och 1930-v w. J. SMITH ET AL 1,778,170

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed Aug. 29', 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 14, 1930. w J s T ET AL 1,778,170

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed Aug. 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM SMITH AND HERMAN 1'. BRAUN, 01 LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOBS TO THE CLEVELAND STEEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORA- 'IION OI OHIO i UNIVERSAL JOINT Application filed Ann: 29, 1828. Serial 10. 302,754.

This invention relates to a universal joint or flexlble couphng member for forming a driving connection etween the ad acent ends of a pair of shafts and the main object of- I the invention is to rovide a joint which is simple in construction, comprises comparatively few parts which are readily assembled and disassembled and which is well adapted for quantity production at comparatively low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a universal joint of the character described which requlres a minimumamount of lubrication and which at the same time will be free from defects affecting the practicable and continuous operation of such joints.

Further an more limited objects of the invention will ap ear as the description proceeds and by re erence to the accompanying drawin in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view i1 ustrating the preferred embodiment Y of our invention; Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of one of the hub sections; Fig. 3, is a view in endelevation of the other ub section; and Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the flexible member which provides a driving connection. 4 Referring now to the drawings, the reference characters 1 and 2 designate a pair of hub sections which are adapted to be rigidly connected with the adjacent ends of a pair of shafts between which a driving connection is to be provided. The hub section 1 has a pcripheral flange 3 havin apertures therein disposed about the periphery thereof and to which is rigidly connected an annular member 4 having a lurality of apertures 5 disposed about t e periphery thereof and to which extend bolts 6 to which are secured nuts 7. The annular member 4 has a plurality of arms 8, 9 and 10 preferably in tegral therewith. The member 4 also has integral therewith a'hollow annular extension 11, the urpose of which will hereinafter appear. The hub section 2 has inte al therewith a plurality of arms 12, 13 an 14. Connected with the hub section 2 is a coupling member 15 having a c lindrical portion 16 which fits within the ub section 2 and is welded thereto about its entire periphery, as

shown most clearly at 17. The 0 posite end of the coupling member 15 is in 516 form of a truncated sphere" 18 which pro 'ects into the annular hollow projection 11 and has a working fit therein. The hollow projection 11 may be filled with a lubricant to furnish the necessary lubrication to the spherical member 15 which is the only portion of the joint which re uires lubrication. 7

he arms 8, 9 and 10 at their outer ends are shaped to provide semi-spherical recesses 8, 9 and l0 having bores '8, 9 and 10 therein, respectively. The arms 12, 13 and 14 are shaped at their outer ends to provide recesses 12, 13' and 14 having bores 12", 13 and 14 therein respectively. An annular flexible member 19 forms a driving connection between the two hub sections. This flexible member 19 is made of rubber, rubber composition or some similar material and has spherical portions 20 and 20" thereon spaced apart and provided with bores 21 and 21', respectively. The arms 8, 9 and 10 are rigidly secured to the spherical portions 20 b means ofsemi-spherical caps 22 and threa ed pins 23. The arms 12, 13 and 14 are rigidly secured to the spherical portions 20" b means of semi-spherical caps 24 and threa ed pins 25. The pins 23 and 25 extend throu h the bores 21 and 21 respectively and firm y and rigidly connect the hub sections with the flexible member so as to form a driving connection therebetween and at the same time, permits the two hub sections to be disposed at an angle to each other.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of our invention and it should be understood that our invention is limited onl in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. A universal joint including a flexible annular member having bulbous ortions, a pair of shafts each carrying a plbrality of arms, each arm having a gripping portion engaging one of said bulbous portlons, each said grippin portion having a cavity conforming to t e shape of'said bulbous por- 100 tions and receiving one of them, ping portions completely surrounding a portion of said annular member and having an enlar ed central portion and flared ends.

2. i universal joint including a flexible annular member having bulbous portions, a pair of shafts each carrying a plurality of arms, each arm having a gripping portion engaging one of said bulbous portions, each said gripping portion having a cavity conforming to the shape of said bulbous portions and receiving one of them, said gripping portions completely surrounding a portion of said annular member and having an enlarged central portion and flared ends, said annular member being circular in cross section at every point.

3. A universal joint including a flexible annular member having bulbous portions, a pair of shafts each carrying a plurality of arms, each arm having a gripping portion engaging one of said bulbous portions, each said gripping portion having a cavity conforming to the shape of said bulbous portions and receiving one of them, said gripping portions completely surrounding a portion of said annular member and having an enlarged central portion and flared ends, one of said shafts carrying a tubular guiding portion and the other a cooperating, truncated, spherical guide member.

4. A universal joint including a flexible annular member having bulbous portions, a pair of-shafts. each carrying a plurality of arms, each arm having a gripping portion engaging one of said bulbous portions, each saidv gripping portion having a cavity conforming to the shape of said bulbous portions and receiving one of them, said gripping portions completely surrounding a portion of said annular member and having an enlarged central portion and flared ends, said annular member being circular in cross section at every point, one of said shafts carrying a tubularguiding portion and the other a cooperating, truncated, spherical guide member.

In testimony whereof, We hereunto affix our signatures.

WILLIAM J. SMITH. HERMAN F. BRAUN.

wraps said grip- 

